Republican Lane Taylor Elected to Mississippi Senate District 18
The special election was called after State Senator Jenifer Branning (R) was elected to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
The special election occurred today in Mississippi to fill a vacancy in the State Senate. The nonpartisan special election requires a candidate to obtain a 50%+1 majority in order to win outright. Otherwise, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff scheduled for May 13.
The special election for Mississippi Senate District 18 was called following the resignation of State Senator Jenifer Branning, a Republican, upon being elected to the Mississippi Supreme Court. She represented this district from January 2016 to January 2025. She was elected unopposed in the general election for this district in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
In the special election, Republican Lane Taylor won with 56.9% (3,011) against Republican Mark Forsman with 26.1% (1,379), Democrat Lindsey Kidd with 10.9% (577), Independent Ike Melton with 3.9% (208), and Republican Marty Sistrunk with 2.1% (113). 5,288 votes have been counted.
A former Farm Bureau insurance agent, Taylor is the owner and founder of Lane Taylor Auction Company.
Mississippi Senate District 18 covers all of Neshoba County as well as parts of Leake and Winston Counties.
The Mississippi Senate will now features 36 Republicans and 16 Democrats. All 52 seats will next be up for regular four-year terms in November 2027. Moreover, court-ordered redistricting has prompted eight Senate districts to hold special elections this November.